Be aware of surroundings at ATMs

Toronto police have issued a warning to be vigilant of their surroundings, following two robberies at automated teller machines in the Keele Street area.

Two men are wanted for the robberies and police are seeking the public’s help in identifying them. Police have released security camera images of the two men.

Police say two people — a 26-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman — were robbed by the bandits in separate incidents on June 28 and July 6.

In the first incident, officers were called to the Keele Street and Finch Avenue West area just before 4 a.m. on June 28.

A 26-year-old man had been punched in the face, knocked to the ground and his hands and feet were bound by two men who entered the ATM vestibule after he had accessed his account. Police say the men took a quantity of money from the victim’s account before fleeing.

On July 6, police were called to the Keele Street and Toro Road area at around 12:40 a.m. in response to a similar incident. This time, a 19-year-old woman was forced to the ground and held there by one man as another man withdrew money from her account.

It is always a good idea to avoid using an ATM at a time when the area is completely deserted, or you are alone. At night, it could be even more dangerous as thieves could be watching and waiting for an unsuspecting person to give them a chance to relieve them of their money. -CINEWS